No confusion within BJP over Rafale deal: Rajnath

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday asserted that the Rafale warplane deal was made in national interest and denied any differences within the BJP over the $13 billion deal for the purchase of 126 Rafale multi-role combat aircraft from France.

"There is no confusion among us about the Rafale deal," Rajnath Singh said in response to media queries whether the party was divided on the issue.

Claiming that the Rafale jets have shortcomings, BJP leader Subramanian Swamy had in April urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi not to go ahead with the deal and also threatened to move court.

Rajnath Singh, however, insisted that the deal was in India's interest.

"It was a well considered decision. In the interest of the country, whatever decision was required to be taken, we have done that," he said.

Blaming the erstwhile United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government's policy paralysis, Rajnath Singh said the NDA regime had, on the other hand, accorded clearance to 40 new defence projects.

"Under the UPA, due to no clearance, defence proposals and projects had been adversely impacted. But after this government came to power, we have given clearance to 40 defence projects so that the country's security cover is further strengthened," the home minister added.